Meet Our Directors

Mr. John M. Jordan Jr and his parents, experienced educators from the Chicago area, started Towering Pines Camp for Boys in 1945. They believed that, “play is the work of children” and “our goal as parents is to build a secure inner structure that will allow our children to live without us”. These philosophies among others drove the development of an incredible overnight summer program.

The continuity of Jordan family leadership is an important feature in the camp‘s reputation for excellence. They are committed educators and dedicated to making every summer special for each camper.

Meet the third generation of Jordan family owners and their amazing Directors:

Jeff & Jenny Jordan – Owners and Executive Directors

Jeff is the third generation to own and manage Towering Pines Camp for Boys. He has spent every summer of his life at camp (born in Rhinelander, Wisconsin during cook out night) and enjoyed being a camper, counselor, and program director before taking over the ownership with his sisters in 2011.

Jeff holds Masters Degrees in Physics Education and Educational Administration. He is a dedicated science teacher at Glenbrook North High School in Northbrook, Illinois. Jeff also coaches boys’ tennis at Glenbrook North, and is proud to have helped coach two state championship teams during his tenure.

Jenny, Jeff’s wife, holds Masters Degrees in English Education and Educational Administration. She is currently the Assistant Dean of Students and Writing Center Coordinator at Glenbrook North High School. She has been the camp office and public relations manager during the last 20 summers.

Jeff and Jenny’s two daughters have attended Camp Woodland for Girls (Towering Pines ‘ sister camp) since they were six years old, making them proud to be part of the fourth generation of Jordan family camping traditions!

Jonathan Dellinger – Program and Sailing Director

Jonathan is the second grandson of John Jordan Jr and Program Director at Towering Pines. He brings a variety of skills to the program as the sailing director, certified lifeguard, and drama program director. Over the years, he wrote several shows for the TP Players Society, and is one of the creative minds behind the classic CO-ED show, performed by the teenage campers at the end of each summer.

Jonathan is currently working on his PhD in Intercultural Communication at the University of Milwaukee-Wisconsin.

Jerry Abney – Horseback Riding Director

Jerry Abney is the horseback riding director. The Abney family has a long-standing relationship with Towering Pines, having furnished the horses since the camp’s inception in 1945. Jerry’s father, Win, is a legendary Towering Pines figure, serving as riding director for over 60 years before handing the reins over to his son. Jerry is a retired educator with experience as a high school teacher and elementary and middle school principal. He now works with Win to provide the horses for both Towering Pines and Camp Woodland (Sister Camp). Jerry was a camper from 1959 until 1964 and remembers camp as one of the best experience of his life! Clearly, his commitment is to more than horses, as he firmly believes camp is an unquestionably powerful and positive experience in shaping the lives of young men.

Angie Ziller

Angie, her husband, Thomas, and their 3 children, Aidan, Emilie and Isaac, live in Grand Island, Nebraska. She is a camp alum and worked as a counselor, assistant waterfront director and helped with staff training at Camp Woodland for 6 years (way back when!!). Angie has her B.A. in Business and Vocational Education and her M.A. in Deaf Education. For the past 8 years Angie has been part of the non-profit organization, The GRACE Foundation (Grand Island Area Cancer Endowment). She served as the Director of the Race for GRACE 10K in which all proceeds assist individuals and families with cancer.

Angie is excited to return to camp this summer and have her 2 youngest children attending camp at Woodland and Towering Pines! Working at camp was a life changing experience for her, and she is extremely excited to share her passion for camp and education with the campers and staff this year!!

We are very fortunate to have Brenda, Drinka, Betty, Wendy, and Kathleen working for over 10 summers at Towering Pines to make camp extra special. Their children are all grown, but these camp moms still come back to cook tasty meals, manage the arts and crafts program, oversee the nursing staff, and help run the camp office.

Camp is my kids favorite place. The Jordan family has created a place where my children experience genuine happiness in their life.”